General Plan Update

The goals, objectives, policies, implementation measures and maps contained within this General Plan will assist both the City and the community, including landowners and/or developers in the implementation of the adopted elements. This General Plan 2024 continues to builds upon the

original General Plan adopted in 1993 and subsequent plans. In addition, this General Plan 2024 complies with the requirements provided in Article 9, Section 461.05 and Section 461.06 of the, Arizona Statutes. An ancillary document of this General Plan is the Public Participation Plan which was prepared and adopted in conformance with ARS 9-461.06.

The General Plan is comprised of the community vision, goals, policies and implementation strategies and is the foundation that will guide and support the City’s decision-making in all aspects related to growth and development. The General Plan sets the foundation from which all other studies, policies, guides and documents should orient from and revert back to for support. The main items within the General Plan are comprised of the following:

• Community Vision: a concise statement of the desired future for the city.
• Elements: the chapters of the General Plan per the Arizona Revised Statutes requirements.
• Goals: general statements expressing the desired long-term vision of the community of Douglas in order to help achieve their community vision of the city.
• Objectives: desired results of the community of Douglas in order to help achieve the overall goal.
• Policies: action statements supporting an objective, providing an ideal for decision making and guiding City programs and strategies.
• Implementation Strategies: specific tasks to carry out the policies of the General Plan to achieve or implement its goals located at the end of each element and responsible parties.

The primary purpose of this General Plan is to enhance the character of Douglas, and to ensure that future growth proceeds in a manner consistent with the vision of the community. The goals, objectives, policies, implementation measures and map series included in this General Plan are intended to provide guidance in the evaluation of future decisions related to land use, infrastructure improvements, and other issues.

This General Plan serves as a guide for appointed and elected officials in the evaluation of proposals for future development, in the scheduling of community improvements and/or capital improvements programming, and in the development of more specific studies. In addition, this General Plan provides a policy framework for the refinement of existing implementation tools such as zoning and subdivision regulations, establishing levels of service, grant opportunities and economic development incentives.

Ordinances that are proposed and considered after the adoption of this General Plan 2024 should be consistent with the goals, objectives, policies and implementation measures contained in this Plan. If any ordinance instituting or modifying rules or regulations is being considered which is contrary to the goals and policies set forth herein, this Plan should be reviewed for proposed amendments prior to the adoption of such an ordinance.